Cinderella – A Fairy Tale Opera
Yes, this opera is based on the classic fairytale of the same name. However, Rossini together with his librettist, Jacopo Ferretti, made just a few changes!
Don’t worry, there’s still the same happy ending of two people finding their love match!
In this story of Cinderella, Cinderella is called Angelina. Instead of a Fairy Godmother, Angelina is helped to the ball by the Prince’s wise mentor. Angelina has a Step-father not a step mother. There’s also no glass slipper accidently left at the ball.
While there are differences between Rossini’s opera and the Disney version we all know, it’s still a family-friendly, romantic story of two people falling in love.
The Story of Cinderella the Opera
Angelina (Cinderella) has two step-sisters named Clorinda and Tisbe – and her step-father is Baron Don Magnifico. They treat Angelina like their personal assistant.
Prince Ramiro is being pressured to find a wife. He is going to host a ball at his Palace so that he can choose someone to marry.
Together with his valet, Dandini, and his mentor Alidoro, Ramiro visits the house of Don Magnifico. Alidoro goes in first dressed as a beggar; and is treated kindly by Angelina. He is soon followed by Prince Ramiro dressed as his own valet who also meets Angelina and falls in love with her at first sight. Finally Dandini arrives dressed as the Prince and is fawned over by Clorinda and Tisbe and Don Magnifico.
All the daughters of the house are invited to the ball but Don Magnifico says that Angelina is their servant and his third daughter has died. After the men leave, Angelina asks her step-father if she can go to the ball but he says no and he leaves with Clorinda and Tisbe.
However, Alidoro returns to Angelina and takes her to the ball where she dazzles everyone including Prince Ramiro.
About Rossini - Cinderella’s Composer
Rossini is most famous for his 39 operas, in particular The Barber of Seville and William Tell.
He was one of the most significant Italian composers of the 1800s.
Rossini was known for his comic operas. Known as the “Italian Mozart” he challenged the traditional format of opera – he embellished his melodies, ensembles and finales with unusual rhythms.
Our Production
The last time ENO performed Cinderella was over 40 years ago and we’re delighted to bring Rossini’s opera back to the London Coliseum stage.
Our 2025 production will be a fresh contemporary take on the classic story set in London with a team of otherworldly spirits who make it their mission to nudge Angelina and Prince Ramiro towards their destiny.
Making her ENO debut is director Julia Burbach. She was nominated in the ‘Best Newcomer’ category at the 2019 International Opera Awards and has been steadily working as an opera director ever since.
More about Cinderella (La Cenerentola)
Cinderella (La Cenerentola)
